7 charged in metals thefts at USS Midway

Seven people have been charged with a single count each of felony grand theft for their alleged roles in a long-running theft ring at the USS Midway Museum.

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office filed the complaint Tuesday, seven months after museum officials fired 14 employees they suspected of systematically looting recyclable metals from the ship.

Prosecutors declined to comment on the case, which accuses the defendants of stealing items worth more than $950 from the ship between Nov. 1, 2011, and Nov. 30, 2012.

All seven men face arraignment Aug. 27 in San Diego Superior Court.

The criminal charges stem from an internal investigation museum officials concluded in January.

According to a museum newsletter distributed to employees and volunteers and obtained by U-T Watchdog, the terminated employees were keeping some of the proceeds of materials that were recycled from the ship.

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“Items that are big time in the recycling business (steel, copper, aluminum) were taken for recycling, but only a portion of the money was returned to the Midway,” the newsletter said. “This involves several hundreds of thousands of dollars over several years.”

San Diego Police Department investigators referred their findings to the District Attorney’s Office in June.

The defendants, who face up to three years in prison if convicted, could not be reached for comment. No additional information was available from court records.

Not charged in the case was Vic Zambrano, the former facilities manager who was singled out in the museum’s January newsletter.

“It was apparently orchestrated by Vic Zambrano and involved members of his team,” the newsletter said. “All those involved in this activity are no longer employed and are no longer welcomed on board.”

Zambrano could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

McGaugh declined to discuss why Zambrano was named in the museum newsletter as a leader of the theft ring but was not among those facing criminal charges.

A commenter on the U-T San Diego website came forward in January to vouch for Zambrano, a retired Navy master chief, saying he had no role in the crimes.

“I know Chief Zambrano personally,” wrote Jon T. Gastt. “He has and continues to dedicate his entire life to God, to our country and to his family. He does not have any knowledge of these crimes and has not received one red cent from this theft.”

Gastt did not respond to a message seeking further comment on Wednesday.

The USS Midway Museum was established in 2004 and has become one of the most popular attractions in San Diego. Its showcase property is the retired aircraft carrier now docked permanently in Tuna Harbor.

The nonprofit reported $17.2 million in revenue and total assets of more than $33 million, according to its 2011 tax filing.